Tech

How to Run All Your Android Apps on the Surface Pro

If you find the app selection on your Microsoft Surface Pro lacking, take heart. Your Windows 8 tablet can also run pretty much every Android app in existence — as long as you download and install BlueStacks, that is.

BlueStacks, of course, is the Android emulator software that runs on Mac and older versions of Windows. The company is today launching a version optimized for the Surface Pro's 10.6-inch 1,920 x 1,080 screen. It's a Windows 7 app (so it runs on the desktop), although BlueStacks says it's designed for Windows 8 tablets. As a classic Windows app, BlueStacks won't run on Windows RT devices (such as the Surface RT).

Windows 8 is a much more natural fit for the BlueStacks App Player. While the player sometimes has problems translating touch controls to mouse-and-keyboard setups, Android is a touch-first operating system, and so is Windows 8. The new App Player also includes a menu that becomes visible when a user calls up the Windows 8 Charms menu.

"Let's be honest, without apps, the Surface is like a really shiny brick," says BlueStacks CEO Rosen Sharma. "Content brings hardware to life. With this release, buying a Surface Pro becomes exponentially more attractive. I bought one myself."

Keep in mind, though, that BlueStacks is technically still in beta, and Android apps often aren't optimized to run on larger tablet screens. Also, since the apps weren't designed to run natively on Windows 8, they won't be able to take full advantage of the Surface Pro's hardware (such as the Core i5 processor) or share Windows 8 design elements.

Still, injecting Android's more than 700,000 apps to Windows 8's comparatively feeble 40,000 (or so) titles is a potentially great enhancement for many users.

Are you excited for BlueStacks on Windows 8? Let us know why or why not in the comments.

Update: If you're experiencing problems with BlueStacks on your Surface Pro, the company says a last-minute change by Microsoft has disrupted the touch controls for the App Player. BlueStacks says it's working to fix the problem. In addition, this post initially implied the BlueStacks App Player is a Windows 8 app, but it's actually a Windows 7 app with features optimized for Windows 8 touch controls.

Update 2: BlueStacks has released a repaired version of the app. If you already downloaded it, you can fix it with this patch.

BONUS: Microsoft Surface Pro Review

Microsoft Surface Pro Review

Microsoft Surface Pro

The Surface Pro looks very similar to the Surface RT that launched last fall, except Pro version runs Windows 8 Pro instead of Windows RT. That means it can run classic Windows apps just like any PC. It's a bit thicker and heavier to accommodate the greater processing power of an Intel Core i5 chip, but it's still compatible with the magnetic Touch Cover that attaches with a click. The Surface Pro goes on sale Feb. 9, starting at $899.

Kickstand

Just like the Surface RT, the Surface Pro sports a kickstand that holds the tablet upright at a fixed angle (about 22 degrees).

With Type Cover

Microsoft offers a flat Touch Cover ($119.99) and more keyboard-like Type Cover ($129.99), and they both fit either the Surface Pro or RT. They're sold separately in Pro's case.

Startup Screen

Here's what you'll see every time you boot up the Surface Pro.

Digitizing Pen

The supplied stylus works only with the Surface Pro. Although it attaches to the power port of the tablet for easy carrying, it's not a powered device.

Upright With Surface RT

The two Surfaces lean at the same angle, though it's easy to tell the two apart from the side. The Surface Pro has a seam in back of the tablet that serves as a vent for the cooling fan inside.

Compared With Surface RT

Head on, it's hard to tell the Surface Pro apart from the Surface RT.

Stacked With Surface RT

When stacked with the Surface RT, it becomes clearer that the Pro is a different device. The ports are different, and the Pro is significantly thicker (0.53 to 0.37 inch). It's also heavier -- 2 to 1.5 pounds.

Top View

The top of the Surface Pro has the power button and a microphone port.

Right Side

The right side has a microSD port for augmenting the onboard storage (either 64GB or 128GB) as well as a Mini DisplayPort for connecting to an external monitor. The five small dots are magnetic connects for the power cord as well as the supplied Pen accessory.

Left Side

The left side has a single USB 3.0 port, the volume controls and a headphone/microphone jack.

Bottom View

On the bottom you'll find the ports and groove for connecting either the Touch or Type Cover accessories.

Start Screen

The Surface Pro's resolution is full HD -- 1,920 x 1,080. This is a typical Start Screen setup.

Start Screen, Separate Monitor

If you connect to a separate monitor, Windows 8 will adapt the layout of the start screen to the new size -- in this case the 23-inch external display has the same resolution as the Pro, but more area.

Desktop

As a full PC, the Surface Pro can run "classic" windows apps, such as Chrome for the desktop. That doesn't necessarily mean those apps run perfectly, though -- as you can see, Chrome looks a little fuzzy.

What's in the Box

The Surface Pro comes with power cords and a digital Pen that's especially designed for this tablet.

Pen in Use

The Pen works with many drawing apps, such as Paint, FreshPaint and Autodesk Sketchbook Express, to name a few. The other end of the Pen functions as an eraser.

Box

The Surface Pro has very austere packaging.

Accessories

Many accessories are available for the Surface Pro, including the Touch/Type Covers, a variation of Microsoft's Wedge Touch Mouse, and cables (VGA and HDMI) for connecting to an external monitor from the Pro's Mini DisplayPort.

Wedge Touch Pro Mouse for Surface

The Surface version of the Wedge mouse is functionally identical to the earlier model, except it's styled to match the tablet.

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